Method of using a fastener to secure a multiple layered roof, to repair a roof, and to detect leaks in a roof

Abstract

This invention deals with a device which is useful for the securing of roof structures, especially laminar type roof structures wherein an integral, obstensibly waterproof, covering is used as part of the laminar structure. It also deals with a unique method of detecting leaks in roofing structures which allows the location of such leaks with a certain preciseness by using the fastening devices of this invention as points of reference.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of securing a multiple layered roof, the method comprising the steps of (I) providing a roof support means;   (II) surmounting the roof support means with a roof deck;   (III) surmounting the roof deck with a water impermeable membrane, said membrane having a generally flat surface coextensive with the roof deck;   (IV) securing to the roof deck, a fastener comprising in combination a standpipe,   a free floating spherical ball,   a flexible catch.   an extension shaft, and   a means for stabilizing the extension shaft and holding the fastener in place, wherein the standpipe comprises a bolt threaded on its exterior surface, said bolt having an upper end and a lower end and having a small hollow bore throughout its entire length and having fixedly attached on its upper end, a hub, said hub having a threaded center bore, said hub having at least one small port running laterally through its wall at its base and each said small port aligning with a second small port running laterally through the bolt and joining with the small hollow bore of the bolt to form a continuous conduit running from the outside of the hub to the bottom end of the bolt and exiting therefrom, said hollow bore having an upper end and an exiting end and having a widened portion just prior to its exiting end to contain said free floating spherical ball, said widened portion having an upper end configured to accomodate and nest the free floating ball, said widened portion having a lower end configured to prohibit the accomodation and nesting of the the free floating ball;   the flexible catch comprising a lower base having a threaded center bore said base being surmounted by, and integrally molded with, a flexible hollow tube, said flexible hollow tube having at least two narrow, vertical openings in its wall, said hollow tube being layered by a thin gasket at its top end, which gasket is fixedly attached to the hollow tube, said gasket having a center hole having a diameter approximating the diameter of the bolt of the standpipe;   said flexible catch being movably mounted on the lower end of the bolt of the standpipe using the threaded center bore of its base such that turning the catch on the bolt compresses the flexible hollow tube;   an extension shaft, said extension shaft having a threaded diameter allowing insertion into, and threadable mating with, the hub of the standpipe and, the stabilizing means, by spacing a plurality of said fasteners over the area of the roof;     (V) surmounting the water impermeable membrane with planks of thermal insulation;   (VI) adjusting the fasteners downwardly to compress and secure the thermal insulating planks to hold them securely.   
     
     
       2. A method of repairing roofs comprising (I) removing any ballast layer from the area of the roof to be repaired;   (II) completing any required repairs   (III) surmounting the repaired roof with a water impermeable membrane, said membrane having a generally flat surface coextensive with the roof deck;   (IV) securing the water impermeable membrane with one or more fasteners, said fasteners comprising in combination a standpipe,   a free floating spherical ball,   a flexible catch,   an extension shaft, and   a means for stabilizing the extension shaft and holding the fastener in place, wherein the standpipe comprises a bolt threaded on its exterior surface, said bolt having an upper end and a lower end and having a small hollow bore throughout its entire length and having fixedly attached on its upper end, a hub, said hub having a threaded center bore, said hub having at least one small port running laterally through its wall at its base and each said small port aligning with a second small port running laterally through the bolt and joining with the small hollow bore of the bolt to form a continuous conduit running from the outside of the hub to the bottom end of the bolt and exiting therefrom, said hollow bore having an upper end and an exiting end and having a widened portion just prior to its exiting end to contain said free floating spherical ball, said widened portion having an upper end configured to accomodate and nest the free floating ball, said widened portion having a lower end configured to prohibit the accomodation and nesting of the the free floating ball;   the flexible catch comprising a lower base having a threaded center bore said base being surmounted by, and integrally molded with, a flexible hollow tube, said flexible hollow tube having at least two narrow, vertical openings in its wall, said hollow tube being layered by a thin gasket at its top end, which gasket is fixedly attached to the hollow tube, said gasket having a center hole having a diameter approximating the diameter of the bolt of the standpipe;   said flexible catch being movably mounted on the lower end of the bolt of the standpipe using the threaded center bore of its base such that turning the catch on the bolt compresses the flexible hollow tube;   an extension shaft, said extension shaft having a threaded diameter allowing insertion into, and threadable mating with, the hub of the standpipe and, the stabilizing means, by spacing a plurality of said fasteners over the area of the roof;     (V) surmounting the water impermeable membrane with planks of thermal insulation;   (VI) adjusting the fasteners downwardly to compress and secure the thermal insulating planks to hold them securely.   
     
     
       3. A method of detecting leaks in a roof, the method comprising observing the presence of water, if any, at the bottom of one or more fasteners that have been utilized to fasten the roof in place, said fasteners comprising in combination a standpipe,   a free floating spherical ball,   a flexible catch,   an extension shaft, and   a means for stabilizing the extension shaft and holding the fastener in place, wherein the standpipe comprises a bolt threaded on its exterior surface, said bolt having a small hollow bore throughout its entire length and having fixedly attached on its upper end, a hub, said hub having a threaded center bore, said hub having at least one small port running laterally through its wall at its base and joining with the small hollow bore of the bolt to form a continuous conduit running from the outside of the hub to the bottom end of the bolt and exiting therefrom, said hollow bore having a widened portion just prior to its exiting end to contain said free floating spherical ball, the upper end of the widened portion configured to accomodate and nest the free floating ball, the lower end of the widened portion configured to prohibit the accomodation and nesting of the the free floating ball;   the flexible catch comprising a lower base having a threaded center bore said base being surmounted by, and integrally molded with, a flexible hollow tube, said flexible hollow tube having at least two narrow, vertical openings in its wall, said hollow tube being layered by a thin gasket at its top end, which gasket is fixedly attached to the hollow tube, said gasket having a center hole having a diameter approximating the diameter of the bolt of the standpipe;   an extension shaft, said extension shaft having a threaded diameter allowing insertion into, and threadable mating with, the hub of the standpipe and, the stabilizing means.   
     
     
       4. A method of repairing roofs comprising (I) removing any ballast layer from the area of the roof to be repaired;   (II) completing any required repairs;   (III) surmounting the repaired roof with a water impermeable membrane, said membrane having a generally flat surface coextensive with the roof deck;   (IV) securing the water impermeable membrane with one or more fasteners, said fasteners comprising in combination a standpipe,   a free floating spherical ball,   a flexible catch,   an extension shaft, and   a means for stabilizing the extension shaft and holding the fastener in place, wherein the standpipe comprises a bolt threaded on its exterior surface, said bolt having a small hollow bore throughout its entire length and having fixedly attached on its upper end, a hub, said hub having a threaded center bore, said hub having at least one small port running laterally through its wall at its base and joining with the small hollow bore of the bolt to form a continuous conduit running from the outside of the hub to the bottom end of the bolt and exiting therefrom, said hollow bore having a widened portion just prior to its exiting end to contain said free floating spherical ball, the upper end of the widened portion configured to accomodate and nest the free floating ball, the lower end of the widened portion configured to prohibit the accomodation and nesting of the the free floating ball;   the flexible catch comprising a lower base having a threaded center bore said base being surmounted by, and integrally molded with, a flexible hollow tube, said flexible hollow tube having at least two narrow, vertical openings in its wall, said hollow tube being layered by a thin gasket at its top end, which gasket is fixedly attached to the hollow tube, said gasket having a center hole having a diameter approximating the diameter of the bolt of the standpipe;   an extension shaft, said extension shaft having a threaded diameter allowing insertion into, and threadable mating with, the hub of the standpipe and, the stabilizing means, by spacing a plurality of said fasteners over the area of the roof;     (V) surmounting the water impermeable membrane with planks of thermal insulation;   (VI) adjusting the fasteners downwardly to compress and secure the thermal insulating planks to hold them securely;   (VII) covering the thermal insulating planks with a layer of ballast.